As uneasy calm returns:

Bamenda now dry-cleans the blood and tears

-Much blood was spilled and copious tears shed when four persons were shot dead and several scores wounded, as soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters in Bamenda and Kumbalasty week

By Nestor Njodzefe in Bamenda

Street protests in Bamenda went deadly last week

After failing to convince German strongman, Adolf Hitler, to drop his war plans in the late 1930s, former war-time Prime Minister of Britain, Winston Churchill, told the British people that: “We have nothing else to offer but blood, toil and tears”. Events staged by the populations of the NW regional capital, Bamenda, last week, easily gave one the impression some Winston Churchill had rallied the people and spoken to them. That four persons were confirmed dead by police sources (other sources put the number at 8), and several scores others wounded, as trigger-happy security forces opened fire on armless protesters, who were demonstrating against the holding of a CPDM party meeting in town, speak volumes of the bloodshed and tearshed that Bamenda witnessed on Thursday, 8 December 2016.

                Rioting youths could be seen parading the corpses of their slain colleagues on the streets of Bamenda. Some who had incurred bullet wounds brandished their wounded hands and legs, as they headed for the nearest health center to receive first aid treatment.

                Security operatives had a field day arresting the young rioters. Reports put the number of persons arrested at not less than 100. 

                As the rioting continued, and as police went on with the arrests and brutal clampdown, the seemingly determined youths made for the 3rd District Police Station in Meta Quarters and set it ablaze. Some others reportedly destroyed a portion of the Bamenda Regional Hospital. 

                Several vehicles belonging to the military and a vehicle believed to be owned by AtangaNji Paul was burnt. One vehicle each belonging to CAMPOST and CDE were also burnt in front of their respective offices.

                A CPDM official, Dr. Nwana, who was mistaken for Mr. AtangaNji, narrowly escaped lynching by the mobs. He escaped with a bleeding head. His colleague Okie Johnson, disguised as a medical doctor, to elude the wrath of the marauding mob.

                It all started when teargas, water cannon and life bullets were used at the population as the police and Gendarmes, later joined by the army tried desperately to clear commercial Avenue and some major streets of the town to enable the Prime Minister Philomon Yang and the Secretary General of the CPDM Jean Nkuete and CPDM supporters to stage a rally and march pass at the Grand Stand, Commercial Avenue.

                They had left Buea, South West region of Cameroon with a message of peace and unity that was supposed to be delivered to the population of Bamenda.

                The march past and rally which had been billed for 10:00 AM was later postponed to 1:00 PM over security concerns, but never finally held due to resistance from the angry youths who used catapults and stones at the trigger-happy soldiers.

                Face with the situation, Jean Nkuete, Secretary General of the Central Committee of the CPDM and Philemon Yang, Prime Minister, Head of Government, and other CPDM bigwig took refuge in Ayaba hotel for prudence.

                There, the Head of Government was able to address a handful of people, activists, elites of the Region and other indiscreet people.

                To those who accuse the leaders of the CPDM of having poured into provocation by scheduling a meeting of their party in a context of strong tension in Bamenda, he said that the political formation of President Paul Biya is a national party that can gather anywhere. “No one should forget that the CPDM is in Cameroon, a country that is one and indivisible,” replied Philemon Yang, who was on the occasion in his home region.

                In the wake, the Head of Government decided to draw the attention of “his brothers” on the risk they put their children by depriving them from school. “If the teachers’ strike continues, it will be very difficult for students in the Northwest and Southwestern Regions to pass their end of year exams. It is therefore important that our children return to school, “advised Philemon Yang, who was in his the second time in the hotel in two weeks.